Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

If we experience trauma, the impact can affect us on multiple levels. The memories of the trauma are stored in the brain and can trigger a fight or flight response upon exposure to any current situation that might resemble the trauma. This reaction causes a stress response that sends cortisol throughout the body and can result in chronic illness and distress that can be quite disabling.

Therapy can help people learn to recognize these triggers and to use coping skills to deal with these memories in a more functional manner. Therapy can also help people to gradually expose themselves to these memories to reduce the level of reactivity that causes this stress reaction. Many of the skills taught in DBT can be applied to PTSD.

Stress with Success

Very often, people who have achieved success end up feeling dissatisfied and unhappy. Therapy can help these people explore their expectations and values to determine how to integrate their success with their spiritual essence to increase happiness in their lives. Sometimes interpersonal connections are sacrificed in effort to become successful.

Finding balance in one’s life is important to be able assimilate our success in a way that is satisfying and meaningful. Psychotherapy can help people explore obstacles to finding this balance, whether it is in response to external pressures or old messages carried from childhood. Relaxation exercises as well as increased self awareness can lead to a pathway of harmony and contentment to deal with the stress that can accompany stress.

Neil Friedman, LCSW

I have an eclectic, holistic approach in working with people. I believe in helping people recognize and utilize their strengths to overcome any challenge they might face. In this process, we can explore any unconscious blocks that might be interfering with connecting with others and their environment to make the most of each moment. I believe that the “here and now” is where we experience life to the fullest. Along these lines, I try to help people find the balance between their emotional and reasonable minds to effectively problem solve issues to be addressed.

Please call or email me for an individual, couples or family therapy consultation today.